Anaemia following initiation of androgen deprivation therapy for metastatic prostate cancer: a retrospective chart review.
OBJECTIVE
Haemoglobin levels often decline into the anaemic range with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). We conducted a chart review of patients receiving ADT for metastatic prostate cancer to assess anaemia-related symptoms.


METHODS
135 stage IV prostate cancer cases were reviewed for treatment type; haemoglobin values before and after treatment; and symptoms of anaemia. Mean haemoglobin levels before and after for all treatment forms, for leuprolide alone, and for combination leuprolide/bicalutamide were calculated and evaluated for significant differences. The numbers of patients developing symptoms were recorded and the effects of specific therapies evaluated.


RESULTS
For all ADT treated patients, mean haemoglobin declined by -1.11 g/dL (p<.0001). Leuprolide-alone treated patients had a mean decline of -1.66 g/dL (p<0.0001). Leuprolide and bicalutamide combination treatment caused a mean decline of -0.78 g/dL (p=0.0426). 16 of 43 patients had anemia symptoms. Contingency analysis with Fisher's exact test shows patients receiving leuprolide therapy alone versus other forms of ADT were significantly less likely to have symptoms (chi(2)=0.0190).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study confirms that ADT results in a significant drop in haemoglobin levels into the anaemic range. A number of patients become symptomatic from this change. Practitioners should monitor haemoglobin levels, and treat symptomatic patients.
Curtis
Kelly K
KK
Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Cllinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
Adam
Terrence J
TJ
Chen
Shu-Chuan
SC
Pruthi
Rajiv K
RK
Gornet
Michael K
MK
D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D000813:Anilides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017273:Goserelin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009570:Nitriles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000813:Anilides; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D006454:Hemoglobins; D009570:Nitriles; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D017273:Goserelin; C053541:bicalutamide; D016729:Leuprolide